A method and apparatus for assembling a hydrodynamic bearing in a motor is provided. The method comprises affixing a first bearing upon a shaft, applying an axial tension force to the shaft, and affixing a second bearing upon the shaft in a spaced apart relation to the first bearing, as the axial force is applied to the shaft.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A method of assembling a hydrodynamic bearing, comprising: (a) affixing a first hydrodynamic bearing component upon a shaft; (b) positioning a second hydrodynamic bearing component in a spaced apart relation to said first hydrodynamic bearing component; (c) affixing a third hydrodynamic bearing component on the shaft, wherein the first, second, and thrid hydrodynamic bearing components are coaxially aligned with the shaft; and (d) applying an axial tension force to the shaft to set a fluid gap for at least one of the first, second, or third hydrodynamic bearing component.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of affixing the first hydrodynamic bearing component upon the shaft comprises aligning the first bearing component coaxial to the shaft while press fitting the first bearing component onto the shaft.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of positioning the second hydrodynamic bearing component relative to the first hydrodynamic bearing component comprises affixing the second hydrodynamic bearing component upon a rotor hub.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the rotor hub is mounted coaxially upon the shaft and rotates about the shaft.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of affixing the third hydrodynamic bearing component upon the shaft comprises aligning the third bearing component coaxial to the shaft while press-fitting the third bearing component into a contacting coplanar alignment on the second hydrodynamic bearing component.
6. The method according to claim 5 , further comprising monitoring the distance between the second hydrodynamic bearing component and the third hydrodynamic bearing component.
7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the step of monitoring the distance between the second hydrodynamic bearing component and the third hydrodynamic bearing component comprises measuring said distance with a capacitance probe.
8. the method according to claim 6 , wherein the distance between the second hydrodynamic bearing component and the third hydrodynamic bearing component increases as the axial tension force is applied to the shaft.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a free end of the shaft extends beyond a bottom surface of the first hydrodynamic bearing component.
10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the step of applying an axial tension force to the shaft is applied at the free end of the shaft.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the step of applying an axial tension force to the shaft further comprises holding the first hydrodynamic bearing component stationary.
12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the step of applying an axial tension force to the free end of the shaft comprises: (a) attaching a pulling means to the free end of the shaft; and (b) pulling the pulling means to apply force to the shaft.
13. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the rotor hub is rotated to build pressure in the gap.
14. Apparatus for assembling a hydrodynamic bearing, comprising: means for affixing a first hydrodynamic bearing component upon a shaft; means for positioning a second hydrodynamic bearing component in a spaced apart relation to said first hydrodynamic bearing component; means for affixing a third hydrodynamic bearing component on the shaft, wherein the first, second, and thrid hydrodynamic bearing components are coaxially aligned with the shaft; and means for applying an axial tension force to the shaft to set a fluid gap for at least one of the first, second, or third hydrodynamic bearing component.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for applying the axial tension force is about 50 to 250 pounds.
16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for applying the axial tension force comprises a clamp that is affixed to an end of the shaft.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
September 18, 2002
February 22, 2005
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